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ASPCA Arrests Brooklyn Man over Beaten Shih Tzu

On April 3, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested Alex Dykes, 49, for allegedly beating his one-year-old male Shih Tzu mix, Bentley. In September, our agents visited Dykes’ Brooklyn home to investigate a complaint that a dog had been beaten and needed immediate help.

At the residence, Agents found poor Bentley in pain, and they knew something was wrong. They transported him to the ASPCA Animal Hospital for treatment. Our vets treated Bentley with oxygen immediately, ultimately concluding he had a brain hemorrhage and a fractured skull and jaw due to blunt force trauma. He is now recuperating in a foster home.

Dykes was charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, and one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.

Looking at Bentley’s sweet face, we have to wonder: Who could do this to an animal?

I live in Brooklyn, and I know that the courts are in Downtown Brooklyn. I wonder who are these so called "Justices" and "Judges" are that give the abusers' such light sentnces. I know if someone did the same thing to this "man" as what he did to this dog, the penalties would be much more severe. What planet are these "judges" from? Are they Klingons in disguise?

The sentences are so light because that's the way the laws are written. Animal abuse is not sentenced under the same laws as human abuse, most animal abuse laws carry a fine and a minor jail term - if any.

Animal abusers are scum. This fine and penalty was not enough. They should be locked and left to rot and die. We are avid animal lovers and have loved and still love our rescue dogs. God bless them all.